If you think that baking soda can only be used to bake yummy cakes, fight fridge odour or clean your jewellery, then it’s time for a little fact check. Baking soda is an amazing ingredient that you need to add to your beauty shelf RN.
If you are unsure about when and how to use baking soda in your beauty routine, then we are here to help. Read on to find out about the lesser-known ways in which you can use baking soda to take your beauty routine to the next level.
- 01. As a face scrub
- 02. As a deodorant
- 03. As a dry shampoo
- 04. As a teeth whitener
- 05. As a makeup brush cleaner
01. As a face scrub
The naturally abrasive nature of baking soda makes getting rid of dead skin cells and impurities really simple. The exfoliating properties of baking soda buff away dead skin to reveal fresh, glowing and rejuvenated skin.
BB pro tip: Mix together one tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of orange juice until it forms a thick paste. Apply a thin and even layer of this mixture onto your face and neck and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water.
02. As a deodorant
If you live in a hot and humid place like me then you would know that sweat is second nature to us. If your sweat is accompanied by odour (don’t worry, it happens to the best of us), then let baking soda come to your rescue. Loaded with antibacterial properties, it is really effective when it comes to killing sweat-causing bacteria.
BB pro tip: Mix equal parts baking soda and lemon juice and apply this mixture to your underarms. Leave it on for 15 minutes before going for a shower.
03. As a dry shampoo
All of us have those days where we are too lazy to wash our hair, but have also run out of dry shampoo. But this isn’t going to be a problem anymore, because baking soda doubles up dry shampoo too. It absorbs oil, clears your scalp of product build-up and adds volume and bounce to dull and flat strands.
BB pro tip: Just sprinkle a little baking soda on your scalp and rub it in like how you would your dry shampoo.
04. As a teeth whitener
If you want your teeth to look pearly white each time you flaunt that million-dollar smile of yours, we recommend you brush your teeth with baking soda. It will help get rid of plaque and other teeth stains in just a few uses, we promise.
BB pro tip: Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of peppermint oil and a tablespoon of coconut oil to make your own toothpaste. Brush your teeth using this mixture every morning for whitening your teeth.
05. As a makeup brush cleaner
Using makeup brushes that are not clean is one of the worst things you could be doing for your skin. This can lead to acne and other types of skin problems. If you don’t have a baby soap or brush cleanser handy, baking soda makes for an excellent brush cleaner. It thoroughly cleans the brushes and rids them of makeup residue or bacteria.
BB pro tip: Simply soak your brushes in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and two cups of warm water for a few hours. Remove them and wash them under running water.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Jan 10, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!